Pune FC will aim to keep their unbeaten run intact when they take on Prayag United Sports Club in their first away match of the I-league at Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

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PFC, who lost to the same opponents in the Durand Cup match three weeks ago, will try to minimise the mistakes they made last time.

Aware of their opponent’s strength, PFC coach Derrick Pereira said the Kolkata boys are no pushovers. But he doesn’t want to call it a grudge match. “They are a well-balanced side. It is important to treat every opponent as an opponent at all times.” 

Both the teams have remained unbeaten in the I-league so far. The difference is PFC’s hard-fought 3-1 win over Chirag United Kerala, which is also something Derrick’s boys want to take forward.

“We have shown improvement with every match. We have scored five goals in two matches. Things can only get better if we continue playing in the organised way,” he said.

PFC (five points) currently occupy fourth place, while their opponents have three points from drawn encounters, two coming from opponents knocking in equalisers and one salvaged by themselves in the last five-odd minutes of play.

For Saturday’s game, PFC will be without central defender Chika Wali and right-wing back Srikanth Ramu, as both of them picked up two yellow cards. Caitano Costa or Rollingson Hyungyo is likely to take Chika’s place, with Anas Edatodhika providing the other option. For Chika it would have been a match against his former team.

Othallo Tabia, who came on as a substitute in the last match, is certain to get back in Srikanth’s absence, with no further tinkering expected and the possibility of a shuffle in the mid-field.